Vice Chancellor for Research

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), a prominent public urban research institution and the largest comprehensive university in the Kansas City metropolitan area, is actively seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as Vice Chancellor for Research. In this pivotal position, this successful candidate will contribute to advancing the already flourishing UMKC research enterprise.

The full POSITION PROFILE  is available here: https://umurl.us/umkcvcrprofile   

Central to the success of the incoming leader is the imperative to leverage UMKC’s impressive research momentum, supported by both the campus and the community. We anticipate achieving recognition as a Carnegie Research I institution in the forthcoming 2025 Carnegie research designation, reserved for institutions operating at the highest level of research intensity. This achievement not only symbolizes excellence but also unlocks additional opportunities to advance the university’s overarching mission.

This individual will play a pivotal role in capitalizing on the institution’s current successes, fostering a culture of innovation, and strategically positioning UMKC as a nationally recognized leader in research and academia. The chosen leader will significantly influence the future trajectory of the UMKC research enterprise and its broader impact on the community and society at large.

Key Expectations and Responsibilities
The key expectations and responsibilities for the potential Vice Chancellor for Research include:

The Vice Chancellor for Research reports to the Chancellor and will also work closely with the Provost, other executive officers and the Deans to further the research programs and creative works strategies for the university. The Vice Chancellor provides leadership and promotes excellence and continuing growth for the UMKC research enterprise. The VCR is the authorized institutional official responsible for assuring academic integrity in research and compliance with federal, state and local regulations pertaining to research.

Education
The Vice Chancellor for Research must hold an earned doctoral degree and a record of recognized achievement in academic research. Equivalent education and experience providing evidence of understanding the academic research process may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications
The preferred candidate will be a distinguished scholar and leader with a proven track record of advancing research enterprises, fostering innovation and promoting academic excellence. This individual should embody the values of UMKC and demonstrate a commitment to shaping the future of research at the university.

• Proven success in a leadership role within a research-intensive university or a comparable institution.
• Experience in fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurialism and community engagement.
• Visionary scholar with a demonstrated ability to envision and implement a strategic vision for the future of research at a university.
• Record of advancing a research enterprise and contributing to the overall mission of an academic institution.
• Track record of successfully fostering research growth, securing substantial sponsored project awards, identifying and cultivating new funding opportunities, and fostering collaborations.
• Understanding of the intersection between research, technology and economic development; and the ability to align research efforts with the broader goals in technology, innovation and economic development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, build cohesive teams and motivate academic professionals.
• Experience in engaging with local communities and establishing collaborations with industry partners.
• Ability to enhance the impact of research on the socioeconomic development of the region.
• Familiarity with the Carnegie classification system and experience leveraging institutional achievements for research partnerships.
• Ability to unlock additional opportunities for the institution based on Carnegie Research I status.
• Track record of championing initiatives that promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among faculty and students.
• Experience in translating research into tangible outcomes, including commercialization efforts.
• Proven success in fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration to address complex challenges.
• Ability to facilitate collaboration among diverse academic units and research centers.
• Experience in enhancing research infrastructure.
• Proven ability to mentor and support faculty in developing competitive research proposals and promoting a culture of research excellence.
• Understanding and expertise in the health sciences domain with the ability to capitalize on existing strengths and opportunities.
• Previous success in advancing research initiatives in health-related fields.
• Ability to craft institutional frameworks that leverage existing strengths and capitalize on immediate opportunities.
• Commitment to driving research excellence and achieving societal impact.
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, capable of working closely with executive officers, deans and diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to foster a collaborative environment dedicated to the success of the institution.
• Familiarity with academic integrity in research and compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
• Proven ability to ensure adherence to ethical standards and regulatory requirements.
• Experience or demonstrated understanding of global trends in research and the ability to integrate global perspectives into strategic initiatives.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to advocate for the research enterprise at the university and broader community levels.
• Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, including alumni, industry partners, and governmental agencies.

We anticipate the appointment will be made in the Summer or early Fall of 2024. Review of the applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applicant material should be received by March 2, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.

Candidates should include a Cover Letter outlining leadership qualifications, practice, teaching, and/or research interests, as well as a detailed curriculum vitae. Later in the search process, additional information may be sought from interested candidates, along with names and contact information for at least 5 references. Candidates will be notified before references are contacted.

APPLY HERE: https://universityofmissouri.applytojob.com/apply/aCngCe7OSo/Vice-Chancellor-Of-Research-UMKC?source=Science

Nominations and confidential questions about the search and role can be sent to [email protected] .

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo .